Photoprotective and Antiaging Effects of a Standardized Red Orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) Extract in Asian and Caucasian Subjects: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Study

• Published in: Nutrients Vol. 14; no. 11; p. 2241
• Main Authors: Nobile, Vincenzo, Burioli, Andrea, Yu, Sara, Zhifeng, Shi, Cestone, Enza, Insolia, Violetta, Zaccaria, Vincenzo, Malfa, Giuseppe Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 27.05.2022; MDPI
• Subjects: Aging; Antioxidants; Citrus fruits; Consent; Double-blind studies; Erythema; Food; Light; Melanoma; Oxidative stress; Skin cancer; Ultraviolet radiation; White people; Beijing China; Italy; United States > US; China; Germany; clinical study; skin elasticity; red orange extract; oral photoprotection; skin moisturization; food supplement; skin aging; oxidative stress
• DOI: 10.3390/nu14112241
• ISSN: 2072-6643

The increase in solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) that reaches the Earth’s surface should make us reflect on the need to develop new approaches in protecting the skin from UVR exposure. The present study aims to evaluate the photoprotective and antiaging efficacy of a red orange extract (100 mg/day) in both Asian and Caucasian subjects. A randomized, double-blind, controlled study was carried out in 110 Asian and Caucasian subjects. Product efficacy was measured as follows: (1) the photoprotective effect was measured by the minimal erythema dose (MED) assessment; (2) the efficacy in decreasing the UVA+B-induced skin redness was measured by colorimetry; (3) the antioxidant efficacy was measured by the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and the malondialdehyde (MDA) assay; and (4) skin moisturization, skin elasticity, skin radiance, the intensity of melanin staining, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), and wrinkles were measured to assess the antiaging efficacy. The intake of the product for 56 days was effective in improving the skin reaction to UV exposure; in increasing the skin antioxidant capacity as well as in decreasing UVA-induced lipid peroxidation; in increasing the skin moisturization, skin elasticity, and skin radiance; and in decreasing TEWL, the intensity of melanin staining inside dark spots, and wrinkle depth. Our results suggest that the test product is effective in counteracting both the harmful effects of UVR exposure and aging signs.